The Ethics Commission held its 3rd meeting of 2015 on March 10, 2015

The Commission took the following actions:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – March 12, 2015 – (RealEstateRama) — Issued Advisory Opinion 2015-8 to Robert R. Moreau, a member of the Woonsocket City Council, opining that he may represent himself before the Woonsocket Board of Tax Review in order to appeal the tangible property tax assessed against a business that he owns, based upon a finding of hardship in accordance with Rhode Island General Laws § 36-14-5(e).

Issued Advisory Opinion 2015-9 to Philip M. Overton, a member of the Westerly Town Council, opining that he is prohibited by the Code of Ethics from participating in the Town Council’s discussions and decision making relative to litigation involving Westerly Granite Company, LCC, given his insurance agent-client relationship with one of the owners of Westerly Granite Company, LLC.

Issued Advisory Opinion 2015-10 to Wendy A. Regan, a member of the North Providence Planning Board, opining that she is prohibited by the Code of Ethics from participating in the Planning Board’s consideration of the Washington Trust Company’s application to construct a bank on Mineral Spring Avenue, given that her employer has an ongoing business association with the Washington Trust Company.

Issued Advisory Opinion 2015-11 to Bonnita B. Van Slyke, a member of the Charlestown Town Council, opining that she is not prohibited by the Code of Ethics from participating in the Town Council’s consideration of matters involving Ninigret Park, notwithstanding that her primary residence is located in an abutting private development.

Issued Advisory Opinion 2015-12 to Joseph R. Sousa, a member of the Tiverton Town Council, opining that he is not prohibited by the Code of Ethics from participating in the Town Council’s consideration of litigation matters involving the son of one of his business associates, provided that his business associate is not involved in the litigation and will not be financially impacted.

Unanimously voted to approve an Informal Resolution & Settlement in the matter of In re: Lisa Baldelli-Hunt, Complaint No. 2014-13. The Respondent, the Mayor of the City of Woonsocket, violated Commission Regulation 36-14-5004 by the City of Woonsocket’s hiring of the Respondent’s son for a part-time summer employment program with the Woonsocket Department of Public Works. A civil penalty of $750 was imposed.

Unanimously voted to approve an Informal Resolution & Settlement in the matter of In re: Denise L. Rhodes, Complaint No. 2014-20. The Respondent, a candidate for municipal elected office in 2014, failed to timely file a 2013 Financial Disclosure Statement with the Ethics Commission in violation of Rhode Island General Laws § 36-14-16(c). A civil penalty of $500 was imposed.

Unanimously voted to approve an Informal Resolution & Settlement in the matter of In re: Garrett A. Mancieri, Complaint No. 2014-16. The Respondent, a member of the Woonsocket City Council, acted as an expert witness before the Woonsocket Zoning Board of Review, over which he has appointing authority as a member of the City Council, to help his business associate obtain a special use permit, in violation of Rhode Island General Laws § 36-14-5(e). A civil penalty of $500 was imposed.

Unanimously voted to approve an Informal Resolution & Settlement in the matter of In re: Robert R. Moreau, Complaint No. 2014-11. The Respondent, a member of the Woonsocket City Council, participated in the City Council’s vote to reappoint Lloyd R. Gariepy, the Respondent’s business associate, as Municipal Court Judge for the City of Woonsocket on December 6, 2011, in violation of Rhode Island General Laws § 36-14-5(a) & (d). A civil penalty of $500 was imposed.

Unanimously voted to approve an Informal Resolution & Settlement in the matter of In re: Christopher Warfel, Complaint No. 2014-5. The Respondent, a member of the New Shoreham Town Council, represented the interests of his private company, Entech Engineering, Inc., before the New Shoreham Town Council on August 28, 2013, in violation of Rhode Island General Laws § 36-14-5(e). A civil penalty of $500 was imposed.

Unanimously voted to approve a First Extension of Time in the matter of In re: Dawson T. Hodgson, Complaint No. 2014-14.